TOP PHOTO:  Lady Cougar Defender Glenda Davis blocks the path to the goal.

By Amber Cowell

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Campbell County hosted district rival Clinton on Thursday evening. See the full photo gallery HERE.

Campbell County struck first when Kylie Ivey scored in the 3rd minute of the match.  This set the stage for an exciting game that did not disappoint.  The Lady Cougars kept up the pace and continued to pressure the Lady Dragons.  Clinton always has a talented squad which was able to score in the 12th minute and 26th minute.  Again, Alie Jessee cemented her position as keeper for the Lady Cougars with more jaw dropping saves.  

The second half brought more pressure from Campbell County as the squad moved the ball around to various players many taking shots on goal.  Freshman Alejandra Fernandez had a fantastic shot on goal, however the Clinton keeper was able to get a finger on the ball pushing it above the goal.  During the 50th minute Kylie Ivey took a corner kick which was on target, the ball bounced off a Clinton defender into the goal tying the game 2-2.

Campbell’s Meredith Bell breaks up a Clinton drive during Thursday night’s matchup against Clinton

For the next several plays, the Lady Cougars were on the attack with the midfielders pushing up keeping the ball in Clinton’s half.  This proved to be a good strategy when Freshman Kylee Suttles scored her first goal of the match during the 65th minute giving Campbell County the lead once again.

There were multiple injuries that caused stoppage time during the second half and seemed to break up the momentum at times.  This interruption caused confusion with Campbell’s defense during the 69th minute when Clinton was able to score, tying the game once again.  

The Lady Cougars rallied and kept moving the ball up the pitch, taking shots when presented.  Clinton scored once more in the 73rd minute which would leave the score with a Lady Cougar loss 3-4.  

Lady Cougar Kylee Suttles moves the ball forward while being pursued by a pair of Lady Dragons.

Although the Lady Cougars did not come away with the win, it is notable that all four goals from Clinton were from a single player.  The Lady Cougars played an excellent game and were able to shut down the Lady Dragons for the most part, sadly the scoreboard did not reflect this.

Head coach Eric Hill said after the game, “What an effort tonight!  You have to love the fight in these girls”

The team travels to Gatlinburg on Friday to take part in The Smoky Mountain Cup, where they will have games Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/08/2023-6AM)

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